The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has ordered University College Cork (UCC) to pay Professor Wim Naude €300,000 after finding his dismissal unfair. The decision was dated 8 April 2024.
Naude said the university dismissed him by email without an investigation, a chance to present his case or an appeal. UCC said he had not moved to Cork as required for the professor’s role. The adjudication officer found that the university’s residence rule required him to live within a reasonable distance of UCC, not in Cork itself.
The officer also found that the HR director who dismissed Naude had no authority to do so. UCC gave no warning or opportunity to address the alleged issue, and did not investigate, hold a disciplinary process or offer an appeal. The officer concluded the dismissal was both procedurally and substantively unfair. In plain terms, it was unfair because the university lacked a fair reason and did not follow a fair process.
The €300,000 compensation award was the maximum available under the Act. The officer said it took account of mitigation Naude reported after his dismissal, including earnings from teaching and an advisory role. UCC was directed to pay within 42 days of the decision.